Woman awaiting immigration proceedings dies in custody

CHULA VISTA  A 48-year-old woman who had been detained at the San Ysidro Point of Entry and was being held in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement died Thursday in a Chula Vista hospital, a federal official said Friday.

Marjorie Annmarie Bell, who was from Jamaica, was transported about 10 a.m. Thursday to Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center for treatment of chest pain, nausea and body aches, said ICE spokeswoman Lauren Mack. She died several hours later.

Bell had been detained Dec. 24 after authorities said she gave a counterfeit Canadian passport to Customs and Border Protection officials. She was being held at the Otay Mesa Detention Facility pending immigration proceedings.

Her family has been notified of her death, along with the Jamaican Embassy, Mack said. A cause of death is pending, the spokeswoman said by telephone.